Post-War Consolidation

Stalin's Power During and After World War Two

After World War Two, there needed to be a change of political tactics. But afterwards, Stalin tried to re-assert his personal power. This became harder as his health began to fail.

Controlling the State during WW2

Stalin's method of rule had to change during World War Two.
The situation required less terror and a focus on mobilising resources for war.
The State Defence Committee controlled war administration.
The Supreme Command controlled the military.
Following victory against the Nazis, Stalin was championed as a hero in the USSR.

Controlling the State after WW2

The years between 1945 and 1953 are described as 'high Stalinism'.
Stalin focussed on consolidating his authority. This was mostly through terror.
But by his 70th birthday (1949), Stalin was becoming weak. He mostly maintained power through divide and conquer tactics. He used political machinations to divide any rivals.
A new generation of Communist party members, including Beria and Malenkov, threatened Stalin.

Stalin's political scheming (1950s)

The Mingrelian Affair (1951) was a purge of the Georgian Communist party. The purge targeted Beria's allies.
Following this, Stalin changed the Politburo in 1952. He transformed it into the Praesidium and expanded it from 10 to 36. This let him isolate Malenkov and Beria and promote younger politicians who supported him.

Another purge?

Some argue that Stalin had plans for another purge in 1953.
- For example, doctors were arrested and accused of a plot to assassinate Stalin.
- It was believed this would be a pretext to start purging Jews in the USSR.
- Others argue that this would be used to remove Beria as a political threat.
The purge did not come to being as Stalin died in 1953.

1The Leadership Struggle, 1924-1929

1.1Struggle for Power 1924-28

1.1.1Stalin & his Rivals

1.1.2The End of Lenin & Stalin

1.1.3Stalin & the Communist Party

2Five Year Plans & Collectivisation

2.1Changes in Industry

2.1.1Industrialisation & Gosplan

2.2Agriculture & Collectivisation

2.2.1Five Year Plans & Grain Hoarding

2.2.2Collectivisation

2.2.3Kulaks

3Purges, Show Trials & The Cult of Stalin

3.1The Use of Terror in the 1930s

3.1.1Purges

3.1.2NKVD

3.1.3Show Trials

3.1.4Labour Camps

3.2Propaganda & Censorship

3.2.1Art & Religion Under Stalin

3.2.2Media & the Cult of Stalin

3.2.3The Cult of Stalin

3.2.4History

4Life in the Soviet Union, 1924-1941

4.1Life in the Soviet Union

4.1.1Living Conditions & Ethnic Minorities in the USSR

5The Second World War, 1941-1953

5.1USSR in the War

5.1.11941-1942

5.1.21943-1945

5.2Stalin & WW2

5.2.1Stalin's Popularity

5.2.2Post-War Consolidation

5.3Post-War Recovery

5.3.1Economic Recovery

5.3.2The USSR by 1953

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